Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1296: To ask the Minister for Health if the national home antimicrobial service, which it is anticipated will begin in July 2012, will be involved in the delivery of IV drugs in a nursing home setting, thus avoiding the need to have people admitted to hospital and thus decreasing the pressure on acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18511/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The National Clinical Programme for Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) was established in 2010 and is presently in the final procurement phase to select a provider to work in collaboration with the HSE to deliver the national home antimicrobial service. The aim of the programme is to ensure that no patient receiving IV antimicrobials, who could be treated out of hospital, remains an in-patient. Patients will be reviewed within 24 hours of referral and discharged within 24 hours post review if suitable for OPAT. In the initial phase patients will be enrolled in the programme through Acute Medical Units and in-patients facilities. It will be possible to facilitate early discharge of the patient and to deliver IV antibiotics in the nursing home for suitable patients as part of the programme.

It is envisaged that the programme will be rolled out to GPs and primary care settings facilitating admission avoidance for selected patient groups.